Rare earths
Overview
Rare earths or rare earth elements (REE) are crucial to modern society, driving innovation across automotives, electronics, renewable energy, healthcare, defence and aerospace, and as a catalyst in industrial and chemical processing.
As demand for highly engineered products continues to grow, manufacturers that rely on rare earths face a limited supply of marketable product outside a handful of Chinese producers.
Argus Rare Earths Analytics and Argus Non-Ferrous Markets address this unique challenge in the rare earths industry by delivering price data and forecasts through on-the-ground expertise and a proven methodology that supports long-term outlooks as well as supply and demand fundamentals.
Rare earths coverage
Argus assesses 72 different rare earth elements to deliver unbiased price data, news and analysis. The Argus Rare Earths Analytics also provides market analysis and 10-year forecasts for supply, demand, prices and projects across key rare earths:
- Cerium prices
- Dysprosium prices
- Erbium prices
- Europium prices
- Gadolinium prices
- Lanthanum prices
- Mischmetal prices
- Neodymium prices
- Praseodymium prices
- Praseodymium-neodymium prices
- Samarium prices
- Terbium prices
- Yttrium prices
Latest rare earth news
Browse the latest market moving news on the global rare earth industry.
Taiwan's scrap imports fall in March as demand slows
Taiwan's scrap imports fall in March as demand slows
Singapore, 30 April (Argus) — Taiwan's ferrous scrap imports fell on a year-on-year basis in March, as a slight rise in spot prices in January combined with slow domestic steel demand to discourage purchases. Taiwanese steel demand has weakened since the beginning of the year, market participants said. "Market fundamentals in 2023 were still okay, but slowed down in January as scrap buyers were unsure about the market post-Chinese new year," a trader said. Marginally higher spot scrap prices in January also suppressed buying appetite. The spot price for HMS 1/2 80:20 containerised scrap from the US west coast was as high as $380t/t on 17 January and was assessed at $375/t cfr by the end of that month. The higher spot prices encouraged steel mills and scrap buyers to take a wait-and-see approach. Loadings and delivery of containerised scrap bookings are usually made 8-10 weeks after an agreement is signed. Import volumes for the second quarter of 2024 are expected at steady-to-lower levels on seasonal weakness, market participants said. Production is likely to fall in the upcoming summer season because of electricity restrictions set by local authorities. A rise in electricity rates in April will also cap any upside in imported scrap prices and volumes, as mills are likely to reduce output by 20-40pc to curb their electricity use. Taiwan ferrous scrap imports t Country Mar % ± vs Feb % ± vs Mar'23 Jan-Mar % ± y-o-y US 121,298 49.29% 12.2% 323,030 5.74% Japan 44,316 -20.17% -56.7% 161,710 -23.04% Australia 15,942 60.69% -58.8% 37,850 -45.67% Dominican Republic 14,920 -15.05% 0.4% 48,878 -0.81% Others 76,671 40.31% 29.1% 198,780 25.86% Total 273,148 24.79% -15.6% 770,249 -2.81% Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Japan's ferrous scrap exports slip in March
Japan's ferrous scrap exports slip in March
Shanghai, 29 April (Argus) — Japan's ferrous scrap exports declined sharply in March as import demand from Vietnam diminished, while the South Korean market remained bearish. Total exports in March retreated by 17pc on the month and by 10pc from the previous year, reaching 516,000t, according to Japan's customs data. Total exports dropped by 4.6pc on the year to 1.6mn t in the first quarter. Japanese scrap exporters encountered challenges because of declining overseas demand since March, as buyers became more cautious in the face of weaker-than-expected downstream demand recovery. Scrap exports will likely remain subdued in the coming months, according to trade sources. Vietnamese buyers were active in the seaborne market at the beginning of the year, but rising inventory levels and uncertainties in the steel sector outlook led them to step back after February. Exports to Vietnam in March dropped by 21pc on the month. The South Korean market is not expected to rise significantly in the near term as domestic scrap prices continued to fall, dropping by $50-60/t over the past three months. "South Korean buyers only fulfilled long-term contracts and stayed away from the spot market," a Japanese trader said. Exports to South Korea plummeted by 38pc to 470,000t in the first quarter. Exports to Taiwan dropped significantly by 41pc from the previous month as buyers were more focused on purchases of containerised scrap. Exports to Malaysia remained steady above 30,000t in March, while exports to the Philippines decreased from 34,000t in February to 13,000t. But a depreciation of the Japanese yen allowed exporters to offer relatively more competitive prices compared to other suppliers, with buyers price sensitive given a sluggish steel market. The yen started to weaken in March, reaching above ¥155:$1 at the end of April from $146.8:$1 in mid-March. Japan ferrous scrap exports (t) Country March % ± vs Feb % ± vs Mar '23 Jan-Mar % ± on year Vietnam 210,014 -20.7 20.7 683,821 48.0 South Korea 156,851 -9.8 -32.2 469,644 -38.1 Bangladesh 43,755 13.8 N/A 91,205 79.0 Taiwan 35,329 -40.8 -62.8 140,755 -28.8 Others 70,023 -20.6 -7.2 213,587 3.0 Total 515,971 -17.4 -10.4 1,599,011 -4.6 Source: Japan customs Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
STB chair Oberman to leave rail agency on 10 May
STB chair Oberman to leave rail agency on 10 May
Washington, 26 April (Argus) — US Surface Transportation Board (STB) chairman Martin Oberman (D) said today that he would retire in two weeks, though a replacement has not been named. Oberman informed President Joe Biden of his decision in a letter earlier today. Oberman said in mid-November 2023 that he would exit the agency in early 2024 . His five-year term expired on 31 December but he continued to serve into his one-year holdover term. No additional details have been announced, but vice chairman Karen Hedlund (D) is expected to lead the rail regulator until a formal appointment has been made. Chairman Oberman's "commitment to exploring all sides of an issue was pivotal in helping to find solutions for stakeholders," the Freight Rail Customer Alliance said. National Grain and Feed Association chief executive Mike Seyfert said pointed to Oberman's actions in working toward significant regulatory milestones for agricultural shippers and railroads. Under Oberman's leadership, STB has moved forward on long-standing proposal to allow reciprocal switching. The switching plan would allow a shipper served by a single railroad to request that its freight be transferred to another major railroad at a designated interchange point. STB is expected to act on reciprocal switching as early as this month, after introducing a plan tied to railroad service performance in September 2023. His term was also highlighted by several major industry events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern and the 2022 rail service crisis. Oberman was nominated by former US president Donald Trump in July 2018. His appointment was confirmed by the US Senate in January 2019 and he was appointed chairman by President Joe Biden in January 2021. By Abby Caplan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
IEA forecasts slower demand growth for EVs
IEA forecasts slower demand growth for EVs
London, 26 April (Argus) — Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) will continue to grow in most major markets this year, but at a slower rate, the IEA says. Global EV sales are due to top 17mn, more than a fifth of total global vehicle sales, but growth is expected to slow on 2023 in major markets. Almost 14mn new EVs were registered last year , up by 35pc on 2022, with 95pc of EV sales in China, Europe and the US. China will account for over half of global EV sales this year, with sales growing by 25pc on the year in 2024, passing 10mn for the first time. Under the IEA's stated policies scenario, EVs make up half of all car sales by 2035, reducing oil demand by 10mn b/d. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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